Press Releases

(PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 3, 2011)—From 1953 to 1993, people in Salem, Ore., knew Dr. Richard Synowski as a business leader, local dentist and world traveler.

For the past nine years, though, many students in Salem-Keizer Schools depended on Dr. Synowski in a different way. Each month, he provided free or low-cost dental care through Medical Teams International’s Mobile Dental program and gave thousands of dental services they could have never afforded without his help.

On Jan. 6, 2010, Dr. Synowski will be completing his last Mobile Dental clinic. From 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Dr. Synowski will be at South Salem High School (1910 Church St. SE, Salem, OR 97302).

“Over the last nine years, he alone has helped more than 1,100 children and adults receive the urgent dental care they needed,” said Denny Sanders, manager of Medical Teams International’s volunteer Mobile Dental program in the Salem area.

Dr. Synowski’s donated dental services are valued at more than $230,000.

That should not be a surprise to anyone. Dr. Synowski has never done anything small. Even when he was a full-time dentist in Salem, he traveled the world on vacations helping those who could never get dental care. He’s been to Israel, China, Mongolia, Poland, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize.

Dr. Synowski will soon retire from his days as a dentist. He remains as founder and president of Northwest Christian Broadcasting in Salem. He also will enjoy having a little more time to spend with his wife of 63 years, Jeannie Lee, their five children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Medical Teams International continues to serve the Salem-Keizer Schools, providing more than $96,000 in services each year. Dentists and hygienists who want to volunteer for this program can apply online at www.medicalteams.org/MobileDental.